"D" Day for Matt

doodle · Post by **doodle** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:17 pm

It's official

AndyB · Post by **AndyB** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:18 pm

Don't be waiting too long for an apology from Brian Smith or from colin_m.

pwrmoore · Post by **pwrmoore** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:19 pm

:cheers:

AndyB · Post by **AndyB** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:25 pm

colinh wrote:
Ulster player Matt McCullough appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee in Dublin today (Wednesday, 24 January, 2007) to answer two misconduct complaints.

The complaints concern the alleged use of racist language to the London Irish player Delon Armitage during and after the Heineken Cup Pool 5 matches between the teams at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 9 December, 2006, and at Ravenhill on Friday, 15 December, 2006.

Having heard four hours of evidence the independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Professor Lorne Crerar (Scotland) and also comprising Paul Mauriac (France) and Aurwell Morgan (Wales), determined that a prima facie case had not been established. The Disciplinary Committee accordingly determined that the misconduct complaints against Mr McCullough should not be upheld.

ENDS

Is that legal speak for the charge was a load of ballix?

Wee Woman · Post by **Wee Woman** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:28 pm

That is just the best news and what all of us believed from the outset!

We all had faith in you Matt.

I'm just sorry that the whole thing was dragged out for as long as it was, particularly through the media.

Hope all the 'non-believers' have the good grace to do the right thing now and APOLOGISE (but I won't be holding my breath).

Cap'n Grumpy · Post by **Cap'n Grumpy** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:28 pm

Cap'n Grumpy wrote:Don't think "luck" comes into it - just let the truth come out!

I believe by the end of the day, Matt will be cleared.

ThirtyThreeNil · Post by **ThirtyThreeNil** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:30 pm

Courtesy of wikipedia:
Prima facie is a Latin expression (come by way of Middle English) meaning "on its first appearance," or "by first instance" used in common law jurisdictions to denote evidence that is sufficient, if not rebutted, to prove a particular proposition or fact. In most legal proceedings, one of the parties has the burden of proof, which requires that party to present prima facie evidence of all facts essential to its case. If that party fails to present prima facie evidence on any required element of its case, its claim may be dismissed without any response by the opposing party. A prima facie case may be insufficient to enable a party to prevail if the opposing party introduces contradictory evidence or asserts an affirmative defense. Sometimes the introduction of prima facie evidence is informally called making a case or building a case.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:31 pm

So it was, as we thought, just sour grapes and mischief-making from LI in general and Smith in particular.

Maybe we should open a thread here for all the apologies that will now be forthcoming from certain posters.

Solid Air · Post by **Solid Air** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:33 pm

Very pleased to hear this news, faith in Matt was not misplaced, glad that the affair should end, although LI have a right of appeal, but if they could not bring a prima facie case, then unlikely they would appeal.

Most of all delighted for MATT MCCULLOUGH

AndyB · Post by **AndyB** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:34 pm

ThirtyThreeNil wrote:Courtesy of wikipedia:
Prima facie is a Latin expression (come by way of Middle English) meaning "on its first appearance," or "by first instance" used in common law jurisdictions to denote evidence that is sufficient, if not rebutted, to prove a particular proposition or fact. In most legal proceedings, one of the parties has the burden of proof, which requires that party to present prima facie evidence of all facts essential to its case. If that party fails to present prima facie evidence on any required element of its case, its claim may be dismissed without any response by the opposing party. A prima facie case may be insufficient to enable a party to prevail if the opposing party introduces contradictory evidence or asserts an affirmative defense. Sometimes the introduction of prima facie evidence is informally called making a case or building a case.

Have to say I don't really understand much of that. Anybody got an English translation?

angelfire · Post by **angelfire** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:35 pm

First Post Ever on a Message Board

Brilliant news

Let's hope that the ERC can do us another and throw the book at Brennan.

ThirtyThreeNil · Post by **ThirtyThreeNil** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:36 pm

Basically, I believe it means that the prosecution failed to introduce sufficient evidence......

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:40 pm

Gary wrote: Maybe we should open a thread here for all the apologies that will now be forthcoming from certain posters.

Need to make it a sticky one Gary as would soon fall off the bottom due to no posts

Thats the first bit of good news this year, things can only get better now.

jamesie · Post by **jamesie** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:41 pm

absolutely fecking brilliant!!! ...blessed relief after a trying few days... must have been defended by prom!

Red Hand PD · Post by **Red Hand PD** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:43 pm

Great news, shame it got this far!

I hope the Ulster Rugby PR machine is churning out the good news to the â€œpressâ€ as quick as the press report the allegations against Ulster rugby players and supporters!

Iâ€™ve had a number of people in work, who don'f follow sport at all, comment to me on both the Matt and Brennan stories. Both reached the front pages of the papers and headlines in the TV and Radio news.

Come on UB, stand up for your Ulster men!